Holiday Spotlight: Konami

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Metal Gear Solid leads the charge of Konami's holiday assault.

By IGN Staff

The month of November usually means the year's holiday shopping season has finally started. With all the PlayStation games that are coming out in the next few weeks, it's going to be hard to know which games you should stick on your holiday list this year. That's why every day for the next seven weeks we'll be spotlighting one prominent PlayStation developer and give you the breakdown on which games that company will be releasing this holiday. And to make it easier on your wallet/Santa/generic gift-giving icon, we'll also give you our advice on whether or not the games should wind up on your want list.

Today's Spotlight: Konami

Konami has already delivered what is sure to be one of the holiday season's biggest hits: Metal Gear Solid. Beyond that, however, there's only one other offering on the company's roster. Here's a look.

Holiday Releases

Metal Gear Solid

Developer: KonamiRelease Date: Now Available

Make no doubt about it ¿ this is PlayStation's biggest game of 1998. A continuation of the popular action series that originated back on the NES, Metal Gear Solid is a story of espionage (and love) set in the cold recesses of Alaska. Playing as the edgy Solid Snake, it's the player's goal to infiltrate a secret nuclear weapons facility and thwart a terrorist plot to launch nuclear weapons. Being sneaky is more important than carrying a big gun, but it certainly doesn't hurt to have one handy.

Our advice: It's simply the best game we've played this year, and one that any PlayStation owner would be proud to have in their library. Parents be cautioned: it's definitely for mature audiences only.

Kensei: Sacred Fist

Developer: KonamiRelease Date: 12/3/1998

Konami tires its hand at the 3D fighting game with its initial foray in the genre on PlayStation. Nine initially selectable characters are joined by many more hidden fighters in a game that features powerful combos and the ability to grapple with opponents.

Our advice: Kensei is shaping up to be one of the better 3D fighters on the market, but the verdict's still out as to whether it'll be able to contend with the likes of Tekken 3 and Dead or Alive.